[Federal Register: October 9, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 195)]
[Notices]
[Page 51470]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09oc01-136]

[[Page 51470]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the U.S.
Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Fort Stewart, GA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9,
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated
funerary objects in the possession of the U.S. Department of Defense,
Department of the Army, Fort Stewart, GA.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these Native
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this
notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Fort
Stewart; United States Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District
professional staff; and staff from Bregman and Company, Bethesda, MD,
in consultation with representatives of the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal
Town, Oklahoma; Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma; Miccosukee Tribe of
Indians of Florida; Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma; Poarch Band of
Creek Indians of Alabama; Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Seminole Tribe
of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa
Reservations; and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Oklahoma.
    In 1980-81, human remains representing one individual were
recovered from the backdirt of a looter's trench at the Lewis Mound and
Village site (9BN39), Bryan County, GA, by archeologists of
Professional Analysts, Inc., who were conducting a survey. The site is
on the lands of the Fort Stewart military reservation. No known
individual was identified. The one associated funerary object is a
plain, sand-tempered pottery sherd.
    The remains and object were found near a trench which had partially
exposed a cremation burial in the Lewis Mound. The trench was probably
dug in 1979-80, and was filled in at the time of its discovery. Only
the remains and the sherd found in the backdirt were collected. The
Lewis Mound is believed to be associated with the Savannah phase (A.D.
1150-1325) of the Middle Mississippian period occupation of the Lewis
Mound and Village site. Although the Lewis Mound cannot be
unequivocally associated with the Savannah phase occupation at this
multicomponent site, the intensity of settlement at the site during
this time and comparison with other Savannah phase mounds in the region
indicate a likely relationship.
    Both the Savannah and Irene (Late Mississippian) phases are found
at Fort Stewart. Initial research suggests that at the time of European
contact, the Guale occupied an area in the close vicinity of what is
now Fort Stewart. Guale material culture is thought to be a direct
development from the precontact, Late Mississippian Irene phase (A.D.
1325-1530).
    During the late 16th and 17th centuries, the Guale were moved to
Spanish missions in Florida and southern Georgia, where they merged
with the Yamasee. Throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries,
the Yamasee moved back and forth between the English in South Carolina
and the Spanish at St. Augustine, FL, through the area that is now Fort
Stewart. The Yamasee War of 1715 resulted in the fragmentation of the
Yamasee with some members' joining the Creek while others went to
Florida or were shipped as slaves to Mexico and Cuba.
    The Seminoles are believed to be descendants of the Upper and Lower
Creek who migrated to Florida in the 1700s to escape European
domination. Research indicates that Guale/Yamasee political and
cultural identity has been absorbed by the Creeks and Seminoles, and
has not been maintained as distinct into contemporary times.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of Fort Stewart
have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains
listed above represent the physical remains of one individual of Native
American ancestry. Officials of Fort Stewart also have determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the one object listed above is
reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human
remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or
ceremony. Lastly, officials of Fort Stewart have determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group
identity that can be reasonably traced between these Native American
human remains and associated funerary object and the Alabama-Quassarte
Tribal Town, Oklahoma; Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma; Miccosukee Tribe
of Indians of Florida; Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma; Poarch Band
of Creek Indians of Alabama; Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Seminole
Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa
Reservations; and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Alabama-Quassarte
Tribal Town, Oklahoma; Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma; Miccosukee Tribe
of Indians of Florida; Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma; Poarch Band
of Creek Indians of Alabama; Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Seminole
Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa
Reservations; and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Oklahoma. Representatives
of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary object
should contact Ms. Jennifer Grover, Consulting Archeologist, Bregman
and Company, Inc., Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Branch,
1557 Frank Cochran Drive, Fort Stewart, GA 31314-4926, telephone (912)
767-3359, before November 8, 2001. Repatriation of the human remains
and associated funerary object to the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town,
Oklahoma; Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma; Miccosukee Tribe of Indians
of Florida; Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma; Poarch Band of Creek
Indians of Alabama; Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Seminole Tribe of
Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa Reservations;
and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Oklahoma may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: July 25, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-25151 Filed 10-5-01; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S